Amazing is word of the day

Tuesday

Oct 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM

A hyperbolic start and finish to these random thoughts for a Tuesday:

Bob Highfill

A hyperbolic start and finish to these random thoughts for a Tuesday:

» The A's have been amazing this season. No big names, just a bunch of young guys who play hard and have a penchant for drama. On Saturday, Oakland earned its 14th walk-off victory of the season. And after Monday's win over Texas, they're going to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Amazing.

» Edison graduate Trumaine Johnson made his first career interception Sunday for the Rams against the Seahawks. Midway through the second quarter, Johnson came up and drilled Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin just as the ball arrived from quarterback Russell Wilson. Johnson's hit jarred the ball loose and he cradled the ball against his chest in the same motion before he fell to the ground - a terrific play by the rookie cornerback out of the University of Montana in St. Louis' 19-13 win.

» The Raiders have been outscored 55-7 in the third quarter through four games. They were blown out 21-0 in the third quarter of Sunday's 37-6 loss to Peyton Manning and the Broncos in Denver. Halftime adjustments either are lost on the coaches or falling on deaf ears among the players.

» Kings guard Tyreke Evans recently aided some residents in his hometown of Chester, Pa., with free eye exams. Chester is struggling economically, so the exams were a big help to many people. Evans had his eyes examined in Sacramento and said he has 15/20 vision. He joked that if he doesn't pass to an open teammate this season, he can't honestly say he didn't see him.

» The Wall Street Journal conducted a study and concluded White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson is the biggest "homer" announcer in baseball. All 30 clubs were evaluated for one game. Citations were awarded when the announcers used pronouns such as "we" and "us" to describe their team, used obscure pet names for players, moped after miscues and celebrated excessively after big moments. Harrelson amassed 104 citations. The Athletics' broadcast team of Glen Kuiper and Ray Fosse received six citations, which tied them with the Royals and Rangers for 16th place. The Giants' duo of Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow drew just one citation.

» Jets owner Woody Johnson said he would prefer a Mitt Romney victory in the presidential election over a winning season from his team. Based on the polls and New York's struggles, including Sunday's 34-0 loss to the 49ers, the year might not end to Johnson's liking.

» The 2012 Ryder Cup was the Meltdown at Medinah for the Americans and the Miracle of Medinah for the Europeans, who came back from a 10-6 deficit on the final day to retain the Cup. England's Ian Poulter went 4-0 at Medinah and is 12-3 in his Ryder Cup career. That's amazing, too.